Group Education for Cancer Screening

Overseen By Jose Rauh-Hain, MD,MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Anti-TNF drugs

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Hypertension, HIV, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if group education can help women adhere to recommended cancer screenings and preventive procedures, focusing on those who are medically underserved or from racial/ethnic minority groups with BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations. The study will include two groups: one receiving a special education program (Education Content) and the other receiving standard care. Women informed of a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation and who may lack easy access to medical resources could be well-suited for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance access to preventive care for underserved communities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, certain chemotherapeutic or anti-leukemic agents are not allowed during the study, except for specific cases like intrathecal therapy or limited doses of cytarabine and hydroxyurea. It's best to discuss your current medications with the study team.

What prior data suggests that this education intervention is safe?

Research has shown that programs like ACT-Together help people better adhere to cancer screening guidelines. While specific safety data on group education for cancer screening is lacking, these programs are generally safe. They do not involve drugs or medical procedures, so the risk of harm remains low. These programs aim to inform and empower participants, leading to better health outcomes without physical side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative ways to encourage cancer screening through group education. Unlike traditional methods that rely solely on individual medical consultations, this approach uses structured educational sessions to empower participants with knowledge about cancer screening. The ACT-Together Intervention arm focuses on dynamic, group-based learning, which can foster a supportive community and motivate individuals to take proactive steps in their health. This trial aims to reveal whether such educational interventions can improve screening rates and overall awareness, potentially leading to earlier detection and better outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this trial's education content could be effective for improving cancer screening adherence?

This trial will compare the ACT-Together Intervention, which involves group education sessions, with the Standard of Care. Research has shown that group education sessions can help cancer patients better understand their conditions and treatment options. For example, studies have found that tailored group sessions can increase the number of people receiving necessary cancer screenings. The sessions aim to provide clear and supportive information, helping patients follow medical advice more closely. However, some reviews suggest that evidence on improving screening rates through group education alone remains inconclusive. Overall, this approach seems promising in enhancing patients' understanding of their health and possibly increasing screening rates. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jose Rauh-Hain, MD

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for medically underserved women and racial/ethnic minorities who have BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutations, which are linked to a higher risk of cancer. Participants should be interested in learning about surveillance and procedures to reduce their cancer risk.

Inclusion Criteria

Serum biochemical values within specified limits

My MDS is intermediate/high/very high risk and I've had 0-2 treatments.

I have AML that has come back or didn't respond to treatment, and I'm on my first or second attempt at salvage therapy.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any severe or uncontrolled medical conditions.

I had an organ transplant less than 3 months ago.

My condition is currently active and not under control.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive group-based education to improve adherence to surveillance and risk-reducing procedures

3 months

Regular group sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention, including completion of follow-up surveys

9 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Education Content

Trial Overview

The study is testing an educational program delivered through group sessions. The goal is to see if this intervention can help participants follow recommended health screenings and preventive measures more closely.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Standard of Care Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be randomized into one of two arms through REDCap

Group II: ACT-Together Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be randomized into one of two arms through REDCap

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Community outreach events for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can motivate individuals to seek or obtain screening, with 26.7% of participants who were due for screening doing so within 3 months after attending an event.

However, many attendees were already compliant with screening guidelines, indicating that these events may not effectively reach those most in need of screening, particularly if priority audiences are not specifically targeted.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Results from an Evaluation of the Georgia Colorectal Cancer Control Program's Community Education and Outreach Events, 2013. Woodruff, RC., Hermstad, A., Honeycutt, S., et al.[2019]

Cancer patients and their families have diverse psychological and educational needs, prompting healthcare professionals to implement a range of educational activities from one-on-one sessions to group programs across various settings.

Innovative teaching strategies, such as imagery, are being utilized to effectively address these needs, particularly during different phases of the patient's illness, highlighting the importance of tailored educational approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cancer patient education: what, where, and by whom? Crosson, K.[2007]

Internet-based education significantly improved patients' knowledge levels more than face-to-face education with a nurse in a study involving 147 ambulatory orthopedic surgery patients.

Both education methods were effective in enhancing knowledge, but there was no difference in the sufficiency of knowledge between the two groups, indicating that online education is a viable alternative in ambulatory care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ambulatory orthopaedic surgery patients' knowledge with internet-based education. Heikkinen, K., Leino-Kilpi, H., Salanterä, S.[2017]

In a study of 843 high-risk individuals for lung cancer, screening with low-dose computed tomography (LCS) led to increased readiness to quit smoking in 25.7% of participants and improved motivation to quit, although only 1.3% reported actually quitting.

Participants who experienced extreme worry about lung cancer were more likely to be ready to quit smoking and showed higher motivation, suggesting that LCS can serve as a teachable moment for smoking cessation, especially for first-time scan recipients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improved motivation and readiness to quit shortly after lung cancer screening: Evidence for a teachable moment. Williams, RM., Cordon, M., Eyestone, E., et al.[2023]

Most web-based patient education materials on colorectal cancer screening are written at a reading level above the recommended sixth-grade level, making them difficult for many patients to understand.

The materials often lack important health content, such as addressing specific risks for high-risk groups and common barriers to screening, which could hinder patient engagement and screening rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Readability, suitability, and health content assessment of web-based patient education materials on colorectal cancer screening. Tian, C., Champlin, S., Mackert, M., et al.[2022]

Cancer patient education should go beyond just providing information; it must also include teaching coping skills and new strategies to manage the disease, which can lead to better treatment adherence and reduced anxiety.

Focusing on the different phases of cancer care can help identify essential educational content, and ongoing research is crucial for developing effective teaching methods and evaluating their impact on patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Information and education across the phases of cancer care. Adams, M.[2019]

Citations

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Group Education for Cancer Screening · Info for Participants

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thecommunityguide.org

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Group Education – Breast Cancer (2008 Archived Review)

Evidence is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of group education in increasing screening for breast cancer. (based on inconclusive findings) ...

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Acting on Cancer Testing-Together Intervention for ...

This study may help researchers learn whether the ACT-Together intervention may improve adherence to recommended surveillance and risk-reducing procedures in ...

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Educational interventions to improve bowel cancer awareness ...

An Australia study showed an increase in participation to 60 % could prevent a further 37,300 cases and 24,800 deaths (Lew et al., 2017). Raising awareness of ...

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169500225003769

Identifying and exploring patient engagement interventions ...

National Outcome Programme analysis shows an increase in the volume of activity and a decrease in 30-day mortality after integrated care pathway implementation.